CLEVELAND — For the first time since 2009, the Ball State women’s basketball team is going dancing. The Cardinals topped Toledo 60-52 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship game to punch their ticket to the big dance.

Here are three takeaways from the Ball State win.

Ball State vs. Toledo rivalry lives up to the hype

Coming into the contest, the energy and aura around the game was unmatched. Both teams, both fanbases, and the entire of Rocket Arena, had a little bit more buzz.

Walking into Rocket Arena before the gates opened, the hype videos were being played and the energy was already present. From tip to the final buzzer, the energy stayed high and tensions even higher.

In nearly every stat category, the Rockets and Cardinals were neck and neck. Field goal percentage favored Ball State by four percent. Three point percentage favored Kent State by 10 percent. Free throw percentage favored Ball State, shooting 100 percent. Even team fouls was a five point difference at five.

The opening quarter, both teams scored 14 points on 6-for-14 shooting and 7-for-13 shooting. Both teams fouled twice but did not shoot free throws in the opening frame. From the energy, to the stats, this game could not have been any closer.

Even before this contest, Ball State and Toledo split its regular season series, with both teams winning on their home floors. Toledo handed the Cardinals their first loss of the MAC slate, and maybe that was in the back of their minds today.

Those games during the regular season were drastically different, with Ball State winning at home by 14, and Toledo taking a nail biter on its home court by three.

After the game at Toledo Feb. 19, Ball State head coach Brady Sallee commented on the post-game theatrics and excitement from Toledo, saying it seemed like Toledo had just won “their Super Bowl.” But the Cardinals got the final celebration, and now take a 15-14 advantage over the Rockets since Feb. 10, 2013.

Alex Richard takeover

In the third quarter, Ball State scored 22 points to create a three-point buffer heading into the fourth. Of those 22 points, Richard scored 14. She almost outscored Toledo on her own.

Ball State had scored just 21 points in the first half, and outscored the opening two quarters in one frame. Richard has been “Miss Consistent” for the Cardinals throughout MAC play and continued that today.

Richard was 13-for-21 on the day and finished with 28 points.

Ball State continued the run into the fourth, where they got the lead to as large as 12. Richard and Ally Becki led the charge in the final frame. The Cardinals played gritty and tough and were diving for balls, fighting for boards and second chance points, and scoring points in the paint.

Richard was dominating the boards and pulled down nine rebounds — which led the game — and her game-leading points total. Richard blocked two shots, had one steal and an assist. Her play was truly a difference maker in the second half.

She had struggled in the quarter and semifinals, but showed up today and looked like the player she had been the last month of MAC play.

Richard’s consistency and dominate style of play can make a difference in the NCAA Tournament. It is important to remember she missed most of Ball State’s “big” games such as against North Carolina and at Ohio State.

What’s next?

With the win, Ball State punches its ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals missed out on the big dance last season, losing in the MAC Tournament and infamously missing an at-large bid.

Ball State finished atop the MAC and were one of the top mid-majors throughout the season. The Cardinals finished 35th in the nation in assists per game (16.4), 41st in field goal percentage (45.18 percent), 30th in defensive rebounds per game (27.8) and top 50 in winning percentage at 78.8.

Ball State was top three in offense, defense and scoring margin in the MAC. They were second in field goal percentage and led the MAC in opponent field goal percentage. Sweeping the season awards, outside of one, and leading the MAC in many categories, the Cardinals can be a nightmare matchup for whoever they draw in the tournament.

There is no doubt on whether or not the Cardinals miss out on the big dance. MAC Regular Season champs, tournament champs, coach of the year, defensive player of the year and player of the year. Ball State left no doubt this season and as of March 14, the Cardinals are projected to be a 12 seed in Columbus, Ohio, against 5 seed Alabama.

Selection Sunday is March 16, and the Cardinals draw will be televised then.

Contact Logan Connor via email at logan.connor@bsu.edu or via X @_loganconnor

Share